When should I take calcium supplements? Does it matter if I take it or not? When should I take it?

Yes, you do need to take it! We all need Calcium. However, You need to consider somethings before taking any dietary supplements.

The type of calcium. Check the label to find out what kind of calcium a supplement contains. If the supplement contains calcium citrate, you can take it with or without food. If the supplement contains calcium carbonate, take it with food. Stomach acid produced while eating helps the absorption of calcium carbonate.The total daily dose. Calcium is absorbed most efficiently when it’s taken in amounts of 500 milligrams (mg) or less at one time. So if you take 1,000 mg of calcium a day, split it into two or more doses over the day.Sometimes you may need to up the dose to 600mg depending on your age.If you take prescriptions. Calcium supplements can interact with many prescription medicines, including antibiotics, bisphosphonates and high blood pressure medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions between calcium supplements and your medications. You need to make sure that it won’t interfere with any health problems you may have.

It’s also a good idea to take your calcium supplements at a different time from your multivitamin or an iron-rich meal. Calcium may not be absorbed as well if it’s taken at the same time as iron, zinc or magnesium.

Dr. Eric Burg discusses the importance of Calcium in this video:

If you still aren’t sure about the best time to take calcium supplements, check with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.

Calcium is also found in food. The main Calcium contenders are milk, yogurt, and cheese, but dairy shouldn’t be the only dietary pit stop to fill up on this nutrient. Leafy greens, seafood, legumes, and fruit also contain calcium and many foods and drinks are fortified with the mineral.